Oyster Perpetual Day-Date: First Rolex to Display Day & Date

The watch of prestige. A world first when launched in 1956, the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date is the first self-winding, waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the day – spelt out in full in a window on the dial – in addition to the date. The Day-Date 40 in 18ct yellow gold features a white dial with faceted Roman numerals, the signature fluted bezel, and is fitted with the three-piece link President bracelet. It is equipped with new-generation calibre 3255, at the forefront of watchmaking technology.

Features

18 CT YELLOW GOLD

By operating its own exclusive foundry, Rolex has the unrivalled ability to cast the highest quality 18 ct gold alloys. According to the proportion of silver, copper, platinum or palladium added, different types of 18 ct gold are obtained: yellow, pink or white. They are made with only the purest metals and meticulously inspected in an in-house laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, before the gold is formed and shaped with the same painstaking attention to quality. Rolex's commitment to excellence begins at the source.

THE ROLEX FLUTED BEZEL

The Rolex fluted bezel is a mark of distinction. Originally, the fluting of the Oyster bezel had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure the waterproofness of the watch. It was therefore identical to the fluting on the case back, which was also screwed onto the case for waterproofness, using specific Rolex tools. Over time, the fluting became an aesthetic element, a genuine Rolex signature feature. Today the fluted bezel is a mark of distinction, always in gold.

THE PRESIDENT BRACELET

The design, development and production of Rolex bracelets and clasps, as well as the stringent tests they face, involve advanced high technology. And, as with all the components of the watch, aesthetic controls by the human eye guarantee impeccable beauty. The President bracelet, with its semi-circular three piece links, was created in 1956 for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. It represents the ultimate in refinement and comfort and is always made of carefully selected precious metals.

DAY DISPLAY

Initially presented in 1956, the Day-Date was a world first. The first watch to indicate the day of the week spelt out in full. Worn by many world leaders, the Day-Date is available with a bespoke day display in a wide choice of languages.

THE CLYCLOPS LENS

The Cyclops lens is one of the most distinctive Rolex features, and one of the most recognizable. Named after the one-eyed giant of Greek mythology, the Cyclops lens magnifies the watch’s emblematic date display two and a half times for easy reading. Behind the Cyclops, as with every feature of a Rolex timepiece, lies a history of invention, research and development, and the endless search for perfection.

3255 MOVEMENT

The Day-Date 36 is equipped with a new-generation movement, calibre 3255, entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex for a superlative level of performance. This self-winding mechanical movement is at the forefront of the art of watchmaking. A consummate demonstration of Rolex technology, with 14 patents, it offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetism, ease of use and reliability.

SPECS

MODEL CASE Oyster, 36 mm, yellow gold

OYSTER ARCHITECTURE Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown

DIAMETER

36 mm

MATERIAL

18 ct yellow gold

BEZEL Fluted

WINDING CROWN Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system

CRYSTAL Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date

WATER RESISTANCE Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

MOVEMENT Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding

CALIBRE 3255, Manufacture Rolex

PRECISION -2/+2 sec/day, after casing

FUNCTIONS Centre hour, minute and seconds hands Instantaneous day and date in apertures, unrestricted rapid-setting. Stop-seconds for precise time setting

OSCILLATOR

Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

WINDING Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

POWER RESERVE Approximately 70 hours

BRACELET President, semi-circular three-piece links

BRACELET MATERIAL

18 ct yellow gold

CLASP

Concealed folding Crownclasp

DIAL Green ombré set with diamonds

GEM SETTING Diamonds in 18 ct gold settings and baguette-cut diamonds at 6 and 9 o'clock

CERTIFICATION Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)